Nigeria’s fast-rising flag soccer motion has been thrown into uncertainty after recent particulars emerged about how a painstakingly negotiated settlement to kind a unified nationwide federation stalled, elevating critical questions on unity, authority, and the long run route of the game.
Right here is the revised story with a extra disturbing, hard-hitting tone, whereas retaining it factual and balanced:
A revealing account launched by Azeez Amida, founder and president of Showtime, has uncovered the delicate state of flag soccer governance in Nigeria, following months of behind-the-scenes negotiations geared toward making a single, government-recognised federation.
In keeping with Amida, the turning level got here on 9 September 2025, shortly after Group Nigeria returned from the African continental championship in Egypt.
Performing on prior agreements with all events, the Director Common of the Nationwide Sports activities Fee (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, convened a high-level decision assembly to finalise the construction of a nationwide flag soccer physique.
The assembly stretched for greater than 9 hours, bringing collectively key stakeholders from throughout the ecosystem. Contributors acknowledged that disputes over federation formation are widespread in Nigerian sports activities and are sometimes a part of the institutional development course of.
By the top of deliberations, consensus was reached on a 13-member federation framework, rigorously designed to make sure stability and inclusion.
The construction allotted seats throughout main leagues and associations, reserved house for rising our bodies, and positioned the NSC in a central administrative function.
The proposed identify — Flag Soccer Federation of Nigeria — was additionally unanimously accepted.
However inside days, that consensus unravelled.
Amida disclosed that NAFA subsequently contacted the NSC, requesting to be recognised as the only authority over flag soccer in Nigeria.
The request successfully froze the agreed framework, forcing the Fee to halt implementation whereas additional discussions proceed.
The fallout has left athletes, coaches, and leagues in limbo — with no formally inaugurated federation and rising confusion over illustration, authority, and worldwide legitimacy.
Amida confused that his resolution to publish the timeline was not pushed by rivalry or resentment, however by concern for the game’s long-term survival.
“The difficulty has by no means been about management,” he defined. “It has at all times been about construction. With out construction, a sport can not scale — not in participation, not in funding, and never in worldwide competitors.”
The NSC has repeatedly maintained that just one unified federation, recognised by authorities, can legitimately symbolize Nigeria. But weeks after the nine-hour assembly, that unity stays elusive.
For a sport having fun with unprecedented development, continental success, and youth participation, the unresolved governance disaster now poses a vital query: will Nigeria’s flag soccer momentum be protected — or derailed by inside energy struggles?
As paperwork and timelines proceed to floor, one factor is evident — the way forward for flag soccer in Nigeria is now not nearly what occurs on the sphere, however about whether or not its leaders can agree off it.
